David Coulthard catches World Rallycross fever

Tuesday 15 July 2014

Ex-Formula One star and BBC F1 commentator, David Coulthard, attended the third round of the 2014 FIA World Rallycross Championship, as an ambassador for Cooper Tire – leaving Norway last month with a new-found appreciation for the sport.

Whilst in Hell, near Trondheim, 13 time Grand Prix winner Coulthard also managed to catch up with another familiar face from the Formula One world. Jacques Villeneuve is a competitor in the inaugural World Rallycross series with Albatec Racing and was on hand to give Coulthard the lowdown on one of the newest and fastest-growing FIA championships.

Coulthard said, “It’s interesting for me to see Jacques [Villeneuve] racing professionally in World Rallycross. We grew up together in Formula One in many respects. He drove for the Williams teams, whom I first drove for in Formula One, we travelled the world and parked our motorhomes side by side, and we have many stories! He is so passionate about racing and I admire that.

“I’m definitely curious to have a drive to see how it feels - and how far off the pace I might be. I have driven a rally car a couple of times and one thing I think I would be reasonably good at is the start, because I have always been good at starting.

“Mattias Ekström, who I raced against in DTM, and obviously Jacques, who I raced against in Formula One, are both super enthusiastic about the acceleration and performance in World Rallycross.

“The cars look quick because they are, and in terms of professionalism, entertainment and the technology on the cars, it’s impressive.”

Cooper Tire has a three-year deal as sole tyre supplier to the FIA World Rallycross Championship until the end of 2016, with the manufacturer further underlining its position as a world leader in the production and supply of rallycross tyres. Cooper is the rallycross tyre of choice for competitors across the globe, having supplied tyres to European Rallycross Champions for the past two decades.

Look out for further Cooper Tire news involving David Coulthard and World Rallycross. Click here for more information on the FIA World Rallycross Championship.

The seventh round of the World Rallycross Championship takes place in Canada, on 07-08 August – the first race to be hosted outside of Europe this season.

To-date the series has had six different winners at the opening six events, making it highly entertaining for fans to follow. 2003 World Rally Champion Petter Solberg currently leads the driver standings.